NORTHERN CAPE – In a shocking revelation that has left Kimberley residents scratching their heads, the Sol Plaatje Municipality has admitted to water shortages in the city, despite the presence of the Vaal River and Riet River in close proximity. It is a situation that has drawn comparisons to Samuel Coleridge’s iconic poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” where a desperate mariner finds himself surrounded by water, yet none of it is drinkable.
The municipal engineers recently presented their report, which confirmed what many residents have been experiencing – the water treatment facilities at Riverton, which purify water from the Vaal River, are unable to keep up with the growing demands of the city. This facility, originally built in the 1960s to provide drinking water, is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the fast-growing city.
Kimberley’s rapid urbanization, further exacerbated by the establishment of the new Sol Plaatje University, has put a strain on the city’s central business district. The municipality has, however, given some hope by allocating R2 billion for water infrastructure upgrades. A part of the plan involves reactivating an older, unused water treatment plant, which should be operational within the next 12 months.
In the meantime, residents are urged to come up with their own strategies to collect and conserve drinking water, a situation that reveals yet another failure of state institutions and highlights the need for civil society to step in.
Looking ahead, the upcoming year offers an opportunity for the people of our rainbow nation to return to the visionary aspirations of Nelson Mandela, rebuilding our nation by reclaiming its infrastructure. It presents a chance for a fresh start and the prospect of a brighter future, where residents can take back control of their provinces from the ANC.
While the situation in Kimberley is concerning, the resilient spirit of the community is evident as they face this challenge head-on, seeking creative solutions to ensure a steady supply of safe drinking water.